Topic: Advances in Real-Time PCR

Real-time PCR is a powerful technique to detect and quantify nucleic acids and monitor changes in gene expression. High-quality assay design is essential for obtaining accurate results. Real-time PCR assays containing primer and probe are available to detect mRNA, microRNA, and SNPs from a variety of species, but challenges can emerge when optimizing custom assays when pre-designed assays are unavailable. Small, non-coding RNAs, termed microRNAs, are critical regulators of vertebrate and invertebrate development. To determine the functions of microRNAs, deletion mutations have been generated for nearly all microRNA genes in C. elegans. The data indicates that microRNAs have essential functions and often function redundantly with other microRNAs to control C. elegans development. This workshop introduces the theory of real-time PCR, explaining different chemistries and analysis methods; provides guidelines for optimizing assay design; and presents data on microRNA regulation in C. elegans development.

Speakers:

• Introduction to Real-Time PCR
       Andrew Felton, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Real-Time PCR, Applied Biosystems.
• Strategies for Robust TaqMan(R) Assay Design
       Tony Dodge, Genotyping Applications Consultant, Applied Biosystems.
• Functional Analysis of microRNAs in C. elegans: Tiny Regulators Essential for Development
       Allison L. Abbott, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University.

This page last updated Friday, 29-Dec-2006 15:31:19 EST